When did the Series MM low-light change to high-light?

Post by **gtt1951** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:15 am

I think that this happened in early 1951, but does anyone have a month or body number reference?
Thanks, George.

Post by **busguy** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:36 am

Hi George

According to info on another recent thread on here, this is the info you require.

January 1951
RHD#83390 LHD#81595 - all Minors built with headlamps mounted in the wings, with sidelamps placed where the headlamps used to be.
All wing mounted headlamps were 7" instead of the former 5" units.

Post by **POMMReg** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:41 am

Are body numbers quoted in MM service parts books?

Post by **gtt1951** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 8:46 am

John, thanks - I had seen that thread, but it didn't have any dates. Going by the January 1951 reference, it means that the last low lights were built at the end of 1950.
Regards, George.
P.S. was that a NSR high-cut wing that I spotted in your garage a couple of weeks ago?

Post by **plastic_orange** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:44 am

When was the change to the 'long bonnet' ?

Pete

Post by **busguy** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:54 am

Pete
I believe the short bonnet was discontinued in August 1951 at Chassis 109699 RHD / 110504 LHD

George
Your eyes deceived you! The unused rear wing was a later type, not a high lip MM version, and I think a photo is shown in the 'autobahn' discussion on the same page.

Post by **plastic_orange** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:21 pm

Cheers,

Pete

Post by **mike.perry** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:55 pm

High lights were fitted from Jan 49 in USA, 1950 with introduction of 4 door and early 51 on 2 door, tourer

Post by **gtt1951** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:20 pm

The reason I had asked my question was that I was going to view a Low Light that is for sale. I have now seen it and the Chassis number is SMM/80102, which puts it into 1951 according to the MM Register vehicle list. This particular car is not on the list although the original owner (apparantly same 92yr old owner since new) must have been an MMOC member going by the badges on the badge bar - one is an all metal 3D relief MMOC badge commemorating something in 1986.
It also has an earlier side valve engine, with no water pump and no blanking plate in the block casting - see pictures below[frame]

[/frame][frame]

[/frame]
I have enlarged the ID plate and it is shown below[frame]

[/frame]
The family had sold on the car to pay for the owner's care home upkeep as he now has Alzheimers and a 3rd party is now selling it on having bought a lot of the estate collection.

Post by **Matt Tomkins** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:41 pm

that's not the one with the dented bonnet on ebay is it?

Post by **gtt1951** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:56 pm

Hello Matt - yes it is (I've been keeping quiet about it). There have been 22 bids on it and no-one, apart from myself, has been to see it. It will need work. It has been welded underneath, in the past. It is this one[frame]

[/frame]

Post by **Dr_Lowlight** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 9:31 pm

Is this the one....looks the same has just been washed... lol

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261414108777? ... 1423.l2649

Post by **gtt1951** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 10:48 pm

Dr_Lowlight wrote:Is this the one....looks the same has just been washed... lol

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261414108777? ... 1423.l2649

Yes, that is the same car and the current seller has stated that they polished it up. The original pictures seem to be from the original owner's driveway. Apparently, the tow hitch was used to tow a small trailer when transporting stationary pump engines to shows. I queried the tow hitch as the 918 engine would have had enough problems "towing" the car, let alone any add-ons!
Anyone got any input on the engine type?

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:24 am

Cylinder head = USHM3, Block looks like Morris 8? Oil filler pipe too far forward, no proper dynamo bracket

Post by **gtt1951** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 12:00 pm

The current seller took 2 more photos, whilst I had the bonnet up, and has added them to the eBay item. I've "lifted" them and they are below[frame]

[/frame][frame]

[/frame]
I didn't see it at the time and I now cannot see from the pictures - where is the dip-stick?
A few weeks ago I bought myself a spare (used old) cylinder head (originally painted red) for my side-valve but, looking at the pictures of my engine[frame]

[/frame] compared to the strange one, this head looks to be of the type Mike refers to[frame]

[/frame]Have I bought the wrong spare head?
George.

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:34 pm

Yes! That is a USHM3 head, the dynamo bracket is on the water jacket, except WD engines The USHM2 head has the dynamo bracket, no thermostat and different dizzy mounting. Morris 8 head is different and not suitable for Series MM

Morris Minor Owners Club

When did the Series MM low-light change to high-light?

When did the Series MM low-light change to high-light?

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